Devices and Methods for Adjusting Proximity Detectors

ABSTRACT

There is described portable electronic devices having one or more proximity sensors with adaptive capabilities that can help reduce power consumption. The proximity sensors of the portable electronic device in accordance with the present invention may be adjusted to operate in multiple and/or different modes. These modes are environmentally and contextually driven. An adaptive sensor is dynamically adjusted based on different criteria. In particular, adjustments are based on correlations of input signals from one or more sensors of the device, data signals received from the device&#39;s processor and/or external data signals received from an external source, which provide characterization values of environmental, contextual and/or ambient light characteristics. Adjustments are made to pulse power to affect the range of the sensor, pulse frequency, filtering of noise of the sensor input signal to attenuate interference and the spectrum of a proximity detector.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of electronicdevices having one or more proximity sensors. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a portable electronic device having one ormore adjustable proximity sensor.

BACKGROUND

Proximity sensors are capable of detecting the presence of nearbyobjects without any physical contact. In particular, a proximity sensoremits an electromagnetic or electrostatic field, and observes changes inthe field. In doing so, the proximity sensor detects any positionchanges of nearby objects based on changes to the electromagnetic orelectrostatic field caused by the objects' presence. For example, aproximity sensor can generate and emit pulses of light of the infraredspectrum and receive infrared light that has bounced off objects todetermine the proximity of the objects in its surroundings.

Wireless communication devices may utilize proximity sensors to managethe user experience and power consumption of its audio and video outputcomponents when adjacent to a user's ear. In particular, these devicesmay reduce speaker volume when the device's earpiece is positioned nearthe user's ear to avoid discomfort to the user's eardrums. As anotherexample, the proximity sensor may turn off the device display when thedevice is positioned near the user's ear to save power. Thus, thesetypes of wireless communication devices dynamically adjust the operationof audio and video output components when these components arepositioned very close to, i.e., adjacent to, a user's ear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general representation of an example environmental conditionwhere the present invention may be utilized.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 a block diagram representing example components that may be usedfor an embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagrams representing operations of an embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is described portable electronic devices having one or moreproximity sensors with adaptive capabilities that can help reduce powerconsumption. The proximity sensors of the portable electronic device inaccordance with the present invention may be adjusted to operate inmultiple and/or different modes. These modes are environmentally andcontextually driven. An adaptive sensor is dynamically adjusted based ondifferent criteria. In particular, adjustments are based on correlationsof input signals from one or more sensors of the device, data signalsreceived from the device's processor and/or external data signalsreceived from an external source, which provide characterization valuesof environmental, contextual and/or ambient light characteristics.Adjustments are made to pulse power to affect the range of the sensor,pulse frequency, filtering of noise of the sensor input signal toattenuate interference and the spectrum of a proximity detector. Sincethe proximity sensors can be ultra-sensitive, making such adjustmentscan result in their optimized functionality and minimize their powerconsumption.

An adaptive sensor is dynamically adjusted by monitoring a one or moreenvironmental and contextual characteristics. As mentioned, in oneembodiment, adjustments can be made to pulse power to affect the rangeof the sensor. For example, if the environmental and/or contextinformation indicates that the portable electronic device is positionednear the user's head, the range of the proximity sensor may beminimized. If the device is operating in a two-handed user mode, adetermination is made of which hand of the user is supporting the backof the device, and an estimation is made of the device location relativeto the user so that select sensors can be disabled so that their rangeis zero and the range of select sensors can be increased. If theenvironmental and/or context information indicates that the portableelectronic device is placed on a horizontal surface, such as a table,the proximity sensors may be adjusted to operate at maximum range andmonitor to detect any disturbances which may indicate user presence.

The instant disclosure is provided to explain in an enabling fashion thebest modes of making and using various embodiments in accordance withthe present invention. The disclosure is further offered to enhance anunderstanding and appreciation for the invention principles andadvantages thereof, rather than to limit in any manner the invention.While the preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated anddescribed here, it is clear that the invention is not so limited.Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, andequivalents will occur to those skilled in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the following claims.

It is understood that the use of relational terms, if any, such as firstand second, up and down, and the like are used solely to distinguish onefrom another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implyingany actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.

Much of the inventive functionality and many of the inventive principlesare best implemented with or in software programs or instructions andintegrated circuits (ICs) such as application specific ICs. In theinterest of brevity and minimization of any risk of obscuring theprinciples and concepts according to the present invention, discussionof such software and ICs, if any, is limited to the essentials withrespect to the principles and concepts within the preferred embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a general representation of anexample environmental condition where the present invention may beutilized. A portable electronic device 101 in accordance with thepresent invention may be carried by a user or, as shown in FIG. 1,placed remote from the user. For example, the portable electronic device101 may be placed on another object, such as a horizontal surface 103.The portable electronic device 101 may use different criteria to detectcharacteristics in an environment 105.

Adjustments to an adaptive proximity sensor of the device 101 are basedcharacteristic values derived from correlations of the differentcriteria. In particular, adjustments are based on correlated inputsignals from sensors of the device, data signals from the processor(that could indicate the mode the phone is in such as dialing, in acall, and the like) of the device and/or external data signals from anexternal source which provides characterization values of environmental,contextual and/or ambient light characteristics. Ambient lightcharacteristics are a subset of environmental characteristics.Adjustments are made to pulse power to affect the range of the sensor,pulse duration, pulse repetition rate, noise filtering characteristicsof an input signal and/or the perceived spectrum of the proximitydetector.

As discussed above, FIG. 1, immediate environmental characteristics canbe determined. Remotely determined environmental characteristics can bedetermined as well. Regarding immediate environmental characteristics,proximity sensors are capable of detecting the slightest activity ormovement of people 107, 109 locating within the environment 105 in theproximity of the device 101. Some people 107 may be nearby the device101, whereas others may be distal from the device.

Contextual characteristics can include operational modes of the device101. Also shown in FIG. 1 is that the device can have one or morecontextual characteristics. Since the device 101 is resting on the table103, the device 101 may be in one or more operational modes. Forexample, the device may be in stand-by mode, may be receiving anincoming call, may be on speaker mode, or it may be off. These modes aswell as many others may provide data signals from a processor of thedevice to determine contextual characteristics.

Environment, context and ambient light characteristic values also can bedetermined by correlation of input signals from one or more othersensors of the device 101. Evaluations by correlation to generatecharacteristic values can include evaluations of input signals of anytype of sensors, for example, ambient light by a light sensor, speed oracceleration of the device by an accelerometer, elevation by abarometric/altitude and/or even GPS sensor sensors, proximity of objectsby one or more proximity detectors as well as the presence of one ormore light spectrums by one or more light sensors. The characteristicvalues are used to select adjustment levels and/or pulsed durations ofthe proximity sensor which can result in their optimized functionalityand minimize their power consumption. In one embodiment, real-timeambient light characteristics based on input from the proximity detectorand/or other sensors of the device or data received by the device candrive adaptive filtering of the sensor. For example, if there is noambient light containing the spectrum of light to which the sensor issensitive, then the signal received by the sensor needs not be filteredto reduce or eliminate noise of the signal and power may be saved orrange enhanced.

Regarding remotely determined environmental characteristics, the device101 may include, for example, a GPS transceiver to determine itslocation. Location external data signals from an external source may becorrelated to generate a characterization value representative of theenvironment and/or context of the device. It is understood that anyenvironmental characteristics, contextual characteristics and/or ambientlight characteristics are within the scope of this discussion.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a perspective view of anembodiment in accordance with the present invention. The embodiment maybe any type of portable electronic device 201 having one or moreadjustable proximity sensors. Examples of the portable electronic device201 include, but are not limited to, cellular-based mobile phones,WLAN-based mobile phones, notebook or laptop computing devices, personaldigital assistants, personal navigation device, touch screen inputdevice, pen-based input devices, portable video and/or audio players,electronic toys and the like.

For one embodiment, the portable electronic device 201 has a housingcomprising a front surface 203 which includes a visible display 205which may include touch screen capabilities. For another embodiment, theportable electronic device 201 may include a plurality of input keys inconjunction with the display 205. For yet another embodiment, theportable electronic device 201 may comprise apertures 207, 209 for audiooutput and input at the front surface 203. It is to be understood thatthe portable electronic device 201 may include a variety of differentcombination of displays and interfaces.

In addition to the front surface 203, the housing of the portableelectronic device 201 may also include a top surface 211, a bottomsurface 213, side surfaces 215, 217, and a back surface 219. The topsurface 211, the bottom surface 213, the side surfaces 215, 217 of thehousing of the portable electronic device 201 are not required to haveany particular shape or configuration relative to the front and backsurfaces 203 and 219.

The front surface 203, the top surface 211, the bottom surface 213, theside surfaces 215, 217, and the back surface 219 of the housing maysupport one or more proximity sensors. Although some proximity sensorsmay be exposed at a surface of the housing, it is recognized that sometypes of proximity sensors may function while concealed behind a surfaceof the housing. If the portable electronic device 201 includes two ormore proximity sensors, then proximity sensors may be positioned atopposing surfaces of the housing, so that sensor is directed in a firstdirection and another sensor is directed in a second directionsubstantially opposite the first direction, in order to maximize thebroadest detection coverage of the characteristics about the environment105.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram representing examplecomponents that may be used for an embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention. The example embodiment includes one or more wirelesstransceivers 301, a processor 303, a memory 305, one or more outputcomponents 307, and one or more input components 309. Each embodimentmay include a user interface that comprises one or more outputcomponents 307 and one or more input components 309. Each wirelesstransceiver 301 may utilize wireless technology for communication, suchas, but are not limited to, cellular-based communications such as analogcommunications (using AMPS), digital communications (using CDMA, TDMA,GSM, iDEN, GPRS, or EDGE), and next generation communications (usingUMTS, WCDMA, LTE or IEEE 802.16) and their variants, as represented bycellular transceiver 311. Each wireless transceiver 301 may also utilizewireless technology for communication, such as, but are not limited to,peer-to-peer or ad hoc communications such as HomeRF, Bluetooth and IEEE802.11 (a, b, g or n); and other forms of wireless communication such asinfrared technology, as represented by WLAN transceiver 313. Also, eachtransceiver 201 may be a receiver, a transmitter or both.

The processor 303 may generate commands based on information receivedfrom one or more input components 309 and one or more sensors 315. Theprocessor 303 may process the received information alone or incombination with other data, such as the information stored in thememory 305. Thus, the memory 305 of the internal components 300 may beused by the processor 303 to store and retrieve data. The data that maybe stored by the memory 305 include, but is not limited to, operatingsystems, applications, and data. Each operating system includesexecutable code that controls basic functions of the portable electronicdevice, such as interaction among the components of the internalcomponents 300, communication with external devices via each transceiver301 and/or the device interface (see below), and storage and retrievalof applications and data to and from the memory 305.

Modules stored in memory 305 can carry out certain processes of themethods as described herein. Steps of methods may involve modules andmodules may be inferred by the methods discussed herein. Steps of thepresent invention can be carried out by instructions modules can includedetermining environmental and contextual characteristics of the device,selecting the pulse power mode of the proximity detector based ondetermining the environmental and contextual characteristics of thedevice, adjusting the pulse power mode to affect the range of thesensor, the pulse frequency, filtering of noise of the sensor inputsignal to attenuate interference and/or the spectrum of a proximitydetector, receiving input signals from one or more sensors of thedevice, receiving data signals from a processor of the device and/orreceiving external data signals from an external source, correlating theinput signals, the data signal and/or the signals from an externalsource to evaluate the environment, the contextual characteristicsand/or the ambient light characteristics of the device to generate acharacterization value and determining from a look-up table adjustmentsto be made to a proximity sensor of the pulse power mode to affect therange of the sensor, the pulse duration, pulse repetition rate,filtering of noise of the sensor input signal to attenuate interferenceand/or the selective spectrum range of a proximity detector. The modulescan be implemented in software, such as in the form of one or more setsof prestored instructions, and/or hardware, which can facilitate theoperation of the mobile station or electronic device as discussed below.The modules may be installed at the factory or can be installed afterdistribution by, for example, a downloading operation. The operations inaccordance with the modules will be discussed in more detail below.

Each application includes executable code utilizes an operating systemto provide more specific functionality for the portable electronicdevice. Data is non-executable code or information that may bereferenced and/or manipulated by an operating system or application forperforming functions of the portable electronic device. For example, theprocessor 303 may retrieve information from the memory 305 to calibratethe sensitivity of the sensors 315.

The input components 309 of the internal components 300 may include avideo input component such as an optical sensor (for example, a camera),an audio input component such as a microphone, and a mechanical inputcomponent such as button or key selection sensors, touch pad sensor,touch screen sensor, capacitive sensor, motion sensor, and switch.Likewise, the output components 307 of the internal components 300 mayinclude a variety of video, audio and/or mechanical outputs. Forexample, the output components 307 may include a video output componentsuch as a cathode ray tube, liquid crystal display, plasma display,incandescent light, fluorescent light, front or rear projection display,and light emitting diode indicator. Other examples of output components307 include an audio output component such as a speaker, alarm and/orbuzzer, and/or a mechanical output component such as vibrating ormotion-based mechanisms.

The sensors 315 are similar to the input components 309, but areparticularly identified separately in FIG. 3 due to their importance forthe present invention. The portable electronic device 100, in accordancewith the present invention, may include at least one proximity sensor315 to detect the presence of nearby objects. For example, asillustrated by FIG. 2, the sensors 315 may include one or more proximitysensors 317 such as, but not limited to, capacitive, magnetic,inductive, optical/photoelectric, laser, acoustic/sonic, radar-based,Doppler-based, thermal, and radiation-based proximity sensors. Forexample, the proximity sensor 317 may be an infrared proximity sensorthat transmits a beam of infrared (IR) light, and then computes thedistance (or XYZ coordinates/location in the case of multiple proximitysensors via known triangulation techniques) to any nearby objects fromcharacteristics of the returned, reflected signal/s. The returned signalmay be detected using an IR photodiode, or IR phototransistor whichdetects reflected light emanating from the emitting diode (LED) afterreflecting off a nearby object. The sensors 315 may also include one ormore other sensors 319. Examples of these other sensors 319 include, butare not limited to, accelerometers, touch sensors, surface/housingcapacitive sensors, and video sensors (such as a camera). For example,an accelerometer may be embedded in the electronic circuitry of theportable electronic device 201 to show vertical orientation, constanttilt and/or whether the device is stationary. Touch sensors may be usedto indicate whether the device is being touched at the side surfaces215, 217, thus indicating whether or not certain orientations oractivities/movements are intentional by the user and/or if the phone iscarried by the user and how. Front and back surfaces could also embedtouch sensors and are used in conjunction with side sensors.

The internal components 300 may further include a device interface 321to provide a direct connection to auxiliary components or accessoriesfor additional or enhanced functionality. In addition, the internalcomponents 300 preferably include a power source 323, such as a portablebattery, for providing power to the other internal components and allowportability of the portable electronic device 101.

It is to be understood that FIG. 3 is provided for illustrative purposesonly and for illustrating components of a portable electronic device inaccordance with the present invention, and is not intended to be acomplete schematic diagram of the various components required for aportable electronic device. Therefore, a portable electronic device mayinclude various other components not shown in FIG. 3, or may include acombination of two or more components or a division of a particularcomponent into two or more separate components, and still be within thescope of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the methods of presentinvention. As discussed above, a device can receive input signals fromsensors 430, receive data signals from the processor of the device 432and/or receive external data signals from an external source 434.Examples were provided above. Further examples of each include that toreceive input signals from one or more sensors, an input sensor can be amicrophone to determine an echo-state of the environment. Consideringcertain data available at the processor of the device, such as the timeof day, can help distinguish between sunlight interference andartificial incandescent light interference, both have high IR contentbut are different in magnitude and spectrum, and as such theinterference filters can be tuned accordingly. Adding a visible lightsensor on top of the time of day can further help determine the type ofartificial light present, incandescent which is high in IR content orfluorescent which is low in IR content. In the case of the latter, thefilter to reduce or eliminate noise received by the proximity sensorwhich operates in the infrared range, can be disabled or seriouslyrelaxed and therefore power consumption can be reduced or rangeenhanced. To receive external data signals from an external source,information about the environment and/or the context of the device maybe downloaded from a remote server. Many other examples exist and it isunderstood that any manner in which to receive input signals fromsensors, receive data signals from the processor of the device and/orreceive external data signals from an external source are within thescope of this discussion.

By correlating the input signals from sensors 436, data signals from theprocessor of the device 438 and/or external data signals from anexternal source 440 to evaluate the environment and/or context of thedevice, including the ambient light, and/or including all of the valuesin a correlation process 442 to generate a characterization value 444.Different characterization values can be generated 444 for each type ofadjustment, to pulse power to affect the range of the sensor, pulsefrequency, filtering of noise of the sensor input signal to attenuateinterference and the spectrum of a proximity detector, or combinedcharacterization values can be generated 444. For simplicity of theillustrated flow chart, the case of a single generated characterizationvalue 444 has been provided. The characterization value can be of anysuitable units or may be a pure number.

To determine the mode or modes of the proximity sensor of the device 101(see FIG. 1), one or more characterization values can be compared 446 toa look-up table that can be stored in the memory 305 of the device 101.The look-up table can be stored in the device 101 or remotely accessed.An algorithm in conjunction with the look-up table, or solely may beused to process one or more characterization values to select modes ofthe a proximity sensor of the device 101.

Upon selection of one or more of the pulse power to affect the range ofthe sensor 450, pulse frequency 452, filtering of noise of the sensorinput signal to attenuate interference 454 and the spectrum of aproximity detector 456, adjustments can be made to the modes of theproximity sensor. Adjustment can include adjustments to pulse power toaffect the range of the sensor including the amplitude and duration ofthe pulse 460, pulse frequency 462, filtering of noise of the sensorinput signal to attenuate interference 464 and the spectrum or frequencyrange of a proximity detector 466. Since the proximity sensors can beultra-sensitive, making such adjustments can result in their optimizedfunctionality and minimize their power consumption.

This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use variousembodiments in accordance with the technology rather than to limit thetrue, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoingdescription is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to theprecise forms disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible inlight of the above teachings. The embodiment(s) was chosen and describedto provide the best illustration of the principle of the describedtechnology and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinaryskill in the art to utilize the technology in various embodiments andwith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scopeof the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amendedduring the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalentsthereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which theyare fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

1. A method of a portable electronic device for adapting a pulse powermode a proximity sensor configured to detect light of a particularfrequency range, the method comprising: determining environmental andcontextual characteristics of the device; selecting the pulse power modeof the proximity detector based on determining the environmental andcontextual characteristics of the device; and adjusting the pulse powermode of the proximity detector based on a selected pulse power mode. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein determining environmental and contextualcharacteristics of the device comprises: receiving input signals fromone or more sensors of the device; and correlating the input signals toevaluate the environment and the contextual characteristics of thedevice to generate a characterization value representative of theenvironment and the context of the device.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein determining environmental and contextual characteristics of thedevice comprises: receiving data signals from a processor of the device;and correlating the data signals to evaluate the environment and thecontextual characteristics of the device to generate a characterizationvalue representative of the environment and the context of the device.4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining environmental andcontextual characteristics of the device comprises: receiving externaldata signals from an external source; and correlating the external datasignals to evaluate the environment and the contextual characterizationto generate a characterization value representative of the environmentand the context of the device.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinselecting the pulse power mode of the proximity detector of the devicecomprises: receiving one or more characterization values; anddetermining from a look-up table a pulse power mode based on the one ormore characterization values.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinadjusting the pulse power mode of the proximity detector comprises:increasing the amplitude of a pulse of the proximity detector orlengthening the duration of a pulse of the proximity detector.
 7. Amethod of a portable electronic device for adapting a pulse frequencymode a proximity sensor configured to detect light of a particularfrequency range, the method comprising: determining environmental andcontextual characteristics of the device; selecting the pulse frequencymode of the proximity detector based on determining the environmentaland contextual characteristics of the device; and adjusting the pulsefrequency mode of the proximity detector based on a selected pulsefrequency mode.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein determiningenvironmental and contextual characteristics of the device comprises:receiving input signals from one or more sensors of the device; andcorrelating the input signals to evaluate the environment and thecontextual characteristics to generate a characterization valuerepresentative of the environment and the context of the device.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, wherein determining environmental and contextualcharacteristics of the device comprises: receiving data signals from aprocessor of the device; and correlating the data signals to evaluatethe environment and the contextual characteristics to generate acharacterization value representative of the environment and the contextof the device.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein determiningenvironmental and contextual characteristics of the device comprises:receiving external data signals from an external source; and correlatingthe external data signals to evaluate the environment and the contextualcharacteristics to generate a characterization value representative ofthe environment and the context of the device.
 11. The method of claim7, wherein selecting the pulse frequency mode of the proximity detectorof the device comprises: receiving one or more characterization values;and determining from a look-up table pulse frequency mode based on theone or more characterization values.
 12. The method of claim 7, whereinadjusting the pulse frequency mode of the proximity detector comprises:increasing the frequency of pulses of the proximity detector or reducingthe frequency of pulses of the proximity detector.
 13. A method of aportable electronic device for adaptive filtering of a proximity sensorconfigured to detect light of a particular frequency range, the methodcomprising: determining ambient light characteristics of the device withrespect to light of the particular frequency range; selecting afiltering level of the proximity detector based upon determining theambient light characteristics of the device; and adjusting the filteringlevel of the proximity detector based on a selected filtering level. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein determining ambient lightcharacteristics of the device comprises: receiving input signals fromone or more sensors of the device; and correlating the input signals toevaluate the ambient light characteristics to generate acharacterization value.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein determiningambient light characteristics of the device comprises: receiving datasignals from a processor of the device; and correlating the data signalsto evaluate the ambient light characteristics to generate acharacterization value.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein determiningambient light characteristics of the device comprises: receivingexternal data signals from an external source; and correlating the datasignals to evaluate the ambient light characteristics to generate acharacterization value.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein selecting afiltering level of the proximity detector of the device comprises:receiving one or more characterization values; and determining from alook-up table a filtering level based on the one or morecharacterization values.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein adjustingthe filtering level of the proximity detector comprises: attenuatinginterference received by the proximity detector when light of theparticular frequency range is determined.
 19. The method of claim 13,wherein adjusting the filtering level of the proximity detectorcomprises: broadening or narrowing the particular frequency range of theproximity detector.